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Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) is a common problem. It can cause daytime tiredness and sleepiness and difficulty paying attention at school or being alert at work. Insomnia can begin at an early age and affects people of all ages. Insomnia can be transient (short-term) and related to a specific condition like stress or travel, or it can be a chronic (long-term) problem that persists for many months and may be caused by another medical problem. The May 21, 2003, issue of JAMA includes an article about insomnia, its causes, and its treatments.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

• Persistent stress
  
• Relationship problems
  
• Use of stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, and some diet drugs
  
• Alcohol consumption
  
• Shift work or keeping erratic hours
  
• Inactive lifestyle
  
• Environmental factors like noise and light
  
• Depression or anxiety disorders
  
• Medical problems including sleep apnea (waking up frequently during the night, severe snoring, and brief periods of not breathing)
  
• Restless . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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